Fiber optic wet connector acceleration protection and tolerance compliance

Abstract

Fiber optic wet connector acceleration protection and tolerance compliance. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system for use in a subterranean well includes two assemblies, each having a fiber optic connector. A biasing device applies a biasing force which maintains the fiber optic connectors operatively connected to each other while the assemblies are secured to each other in the well.

1. A method of operatively connecting first and second fiber optic connectors to each other in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning first and second assemblies in the well, the first assembly including the first fiber optic connector, and the second assembly including the second fiber optic connector, and a respective optical fiber being connected to each of the first and second fiber optic connectors; 
 then engaging the first and second assemblies with each other in the well; 
 operatively connecting the first and second fiber optic connectors to each other, thereby enabling light transmission between the optical fibers; and 
 then permitting relative displacement between the engaged first and second assemblies, the first and second fiber optic connectors remaining operatively connected during the relative displacement between the engaged first and second assemblies. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of securing the first and second assemblies to each other in the well, after the connecting step. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of disconnecting the first and second fiber optic connectors from each other prior to disengaging the first and second assemblies from each other in the well. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting step further comprises rotationally aligning the first and second fiber optic connectors. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of engaging a seal assembly of the first assembly with the second assembly prior to the connecting step. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the connecting step further comprises rotating the first fiber optic connector relative to the seal assembly after the seal assembly engaging step. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting step further comprises applying a biasing force to operatively connect the first and second fiber optic connectors. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of securing the first and second assemblies to each other in the well, after the biasing force applying step. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of removing the biasing force and operatively disconnecting the first and second fiber optic connectors prior to disengaging the first and second assemblies from each other in the well. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging step further comprises providing sealed communication between flow passages formed longitudinally through the first and second assemblies. 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging step further comprises axially aligning the first assembly with the second assembly in the well. 
   
   
     12. A method of operatively connecting first and second fiber optic connectors to each other in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
 conveying into the well a first assembly including a first fiber optic connector; 
 engaging the first assembly with a second assembly in the well, the second assembly including a second fiber optic connector; 
 operatively connecting the first and second fiber optic connectors, thereby enabling light transmission between optical fibers connected to the respective first and second fiber optic connectors; and 
 then securing the first assembly to the second assembly. 
 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the connecting step further comprises applying a biasing force to the first and second fiber optic connectors. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biasing force applying step is performed prior to the securing step. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the securing step further comprises permitting limited relative displacement between the first and second assemblies while the assemblies are secured to each other, and wherein the biasing force maintains the first and second fiber optic connectors operatively connected to each other during the limited relative displacement. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of removing the biasing force, then operatively disconnecting the first and second fiber optic connectors, and then detaching the first and second assemblies from each other in the well. 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the engaging step further comprises sealingly engaging a seal assembly of the first assembly with the second assembly. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the engaging step further comprises rotating the first fiber optic connector relative to the seal assembly after the seal assembly has sealingly engaged the second assembly. 
   
   
     19. A method of operatively connecting first and second fiber optic connectors to each other in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
 securing a first assembly with a second assembly, the first and second assemblies including respective first and second operatively connected fiber optic connectors, the operative connection between the first and second fiber optic connectors enabling light transmission between respective optical fibers connected to the first and second fiber optic connectors; 
 disconnecting the first and second fiber optic connectors from each other in the well, thereby disabling light transmission between the optical fibers; and 
 then detaching the first and second assemblies from each other in the well. 
 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of applying a biasing force to the first and second fiber optic connectors, and wherein the disconnecting step further comprises removing the biasing force from the first and second fiber optic connectors. 
   
   
     21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the disconnecting step further comprises removing the biasing force while the first and second assemblies remain secured to each other in the well. 
   
   
     22. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of operatively connecting the first and second fiber optic connectors to each other, and wherein the connecting step is performed prior to the securing step.